Live Wire! by Chris Beard

24 Mar

Written by Richard Bourcier
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Pure emotion! Bluesman Chris Beard pours it out in abundance on his Live Wire session. Recorded live at concert in Grand Rapids and Chicago, the 48 year old guitarist bares his soul on this disc. Admitting a preference for live venues the singer includes three fine Dennis Walker songs from a studio session in Rochester, NY. Walker's songs are always a treat but Chris Beard's live tracks are more expressive.

Beard's new CD is impressive from the first note. He's a fiery player and a good writer. Five of his original compositions are included on the album. I especially liked the opener Born To Play The Blues and the witty Ten Toes Up, Ten Toes Down.

The highlight is Beard's treatment of Lucky Peterson's Tribute To Luther Allison done in two parts. Chris Beard makes his guitar bleed!

If you love hard-driving electric blues, drop by the singer's website and lend your ear to this one.

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: Chris Beard
CD Title: Live Wire!
Genre: Blues
Year Released: 2005
Record Label: NorthernBlues Music
Tracks: Born To Play The Blues; Ten Toes Up; Its About Time; Tribute To Luther Allison Pt 1; Tribute To Luther Allison Pt 2; Caught Up; It's Over Pt 1; It's Over Pt 2; It's Over Pt 3; Street Of Broken Dreams; Never Felt No Blues; A Change Must Come; Can't Walk Away; Lock My Dreams; Who Can You Trust.'
Musicians: Chris Beard (lead guitar, rhythm guitar, vocals); Buddy Honeycutt (drums); Quinn Lawrence (horns); Marvin Parker (bass guitar except 7,11,12); Alan Murphy (keyboards except 7,11,12); Tony Jackson (bass on 7,12); Brother Wilson (rhythm guitar on 8,10); Darren Robinson (bass on 11); Steve Grills (rhythm guitar 11,12); George Snell (keyboards on 11,12).
Label Website: http://www.northernblues.com
Rating: Five Stars